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annamarialectora's review against another edition
3.0
No crec que pugui generalitzar perquè es va publicar molt en el seu moment per entregues, però les dues experiències que he tingut, que en tingui consciència almenys, no han acabat d'anar-me bé. A l'ajuntar l'obra, es veuen algunes incoherències i personatges que o bé són eliminats o bé desapareixen de cop. Podria considerar-se correcte, però estem parlant d'una novel·la que en la present edició té més de 600 pàgines a lletra no molt gran.
Amb alguns altres detalls sí, crec que en el seu moment en aquest cas l'autora es va deixar guiar pel que volia el públic lector i vendre més (tot i que jo no hi era i són tot suposicions). Té incoherències que en una novel·la actual segurament no perdonaríem però que en un llibre considerat clàssic sí, pel valor històric i l'empenta mostrats per aquestes persones que en el seu moment van poder escriure. I més sent una dona.
Per contra, hi ha personatges molt ben treballats i evolucionats i frases que et deixen pensant i reflexionant una estona.
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No creo que deba generalizar porque en su momento se publicó mucho por entregas, pero las dos experiencias que he tenido, conscientemente al menos, no han tenido muy buen resultado . En juntar las entregas en una obra única, se perciben algunas incoherencias y personajes que o bien son eliminados o bien desaparecen en un instante. Podría considerarse correcto, pero estamos hablando de una novela cuya presente edición tiene más de 600 páginas con letra no muy grande.
Juntándolo con otros detalles sí, creo que en su momento la autora se dejó llevar por los lectores y así poder vender más (aunque yo no estaba allí y son suposiciones). Tiene incoherencias que en una novela actual seguramente no perdonaríamos pero que en un libro considerado un clásico sí, por su valor histórico y coraje mostrados por esas personas que en su momento decidieron escribir. Sobretodo siendo mujer.
No obstante, hay personajes muy bien hilados y evolucionados, y frases que te dejan reflexionando un buen rato.
Amb alguns altres detalls sí, crec que en el seu moment en aquest cas l'autora es va deixar guiar pel que volia el públic lector i vendre més (tot i que jo no hi era i són tot suposicions). Té incoherències que en una novel·la actual segurament no perdonaríem però que en un llibre considerat clàssic sí, pel valor històric i l'empenta mostrats per aquestes persones que en el seu moment van poder escriure. I més sent una dona.
Per contra, hi ha personatges molt ben treballats i evolucionats i frases que et deixen pensant i reflexionant una estona.
---
No creo que deba generalizar porque en su momento se publicó mucho por entregas, pero las dos experiencias que he tenido, conscientemente al menos, no han tenido muy buen resultado . En juntar las entregas en una obra única, se perciben algunas incoherencias y personajes que o bien son eliminados o bien desaparecen en un instante. Podría considerarse correcto, pero estamos hablando de una novela cuya presente edición tiene más de 600 páginas con letra no muy grande.
Juntándolo con otros detalles sí, creo que en su momento la autora se dejó llevar por los lectores y así poder vender más (aunque yo no estaba allí y son suposiciones). Tiene incoherencias que en una novela actual seguramente no perdonaríamos pero que en un libro considerado un clásico sí, por su valor histórico y coraje mostrados por esas personas que en su momento decidieron escribir. Sobretodo siendo mujer.
No obstante, hay personajes muy bien hilados y evolucionados, y frases que te dejan reflexionando un buen rato.
aabi_w's review against another edition
5.0
Although on paper, "North and South" appears to be a long, dense read, I really sped through it! I absolutely enjoyed it as my first Gaskell novel, and I will be sure to seek out more of her work in future. I can't even fully identify a single factor that kept me so engaged, so I'll say that the style in which Gaskell writes is really accessible and addictive. A true page-turning novel, and there was certainly drama for sure, in addition to a really strong-willed independent female protagonist in Margaret! This was everything you could ask for and more.
cjspock's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down. Part of the reason I loved it so much is that it is a topic I am very close to. Even though this novel takes place over 150 years ago, it still rings true today. My parents were both part of unions and I was as well for a short time. So I know how the workers (or "hands") felt. Milton also felt a lot like home to me. Milwaukee is very much like Milton (or was). So I really felt like I knew the characters of Higgins and the other workers. I too feel the same way that Thornton feels about the North (or Milton). I too am from a similar type of city and I don't know how people can survive in the country. This book has a warm place in my heart and I wish I would have known about it a long time ago. I highly recommend this book.
sirena_peters's review
2.0
I do not recommend this book for any person I know. I didn't like the characters. Despite the issues the books addresses, including feminism and labor, it was slow and tedious. I really wish I hadn't wasted so much time with this book.
bmarie82's review
4.0
Found it a bit eye roll-y/preachy for, honestly, most of the time but the last quarter I liked. The love story is the weakest part. Enemies to lovers is like my favorite toxic relationship trope but it just doesn’t work for me here
Crush capitalism
Crush capitalism
ellisaspen's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed Elizabeth Gaskell's 1854 novel North and South. It is a beautiful, heart-breaking, soul-raising book filled with memorable characters and critical examinations of society during the Victorian era. The characters, setting, and writing style are appealing, and I found that, as I read, Margaret’s story and experiences often aligned with my own life. This book was touching on a personal level, and I look forward to investigating Gaskell’s other books, as well as rereading this one. It will be interesting to return to it in a few years and look back not only at this story, but also on the annotations I made as I read.
I was introduced to this book through the BBC adaptation, which I watched with some friends. After finishing the miniseries, I almost immediately bought the book. It takes place in England following the industrial era and focuses on Margaret Hale, a young lady who moves with her parents from their quaint village in the south to an industrial town called Milton in the north. She meets both the workers and masters of factories and begins to learn about the complex relationships and struggles of the classes. This book is much more than a romance; it’s an examination of social class and prejudice, among other things. So many times while reading, I thought the perfect title for this book would be, in all honesty, “Pride and Prejudice.” The misunderstandings between the Hales and Milton natives—especially regarding the Thorntons—were amusing, unsettling, and thought-provoking (such as: how many times does one's unfamiliarity with local customs and traditions lead to tension between people?). The characters of North and South contain depth and embody growth as they learn to view the world in a less closed-off manner and recognize that the ideal is neither real nor attainable.
I highly recommend this book to those who love history, well-written literature, romance, economics, social relations, ethics, strong characters…This is a hidden gem in the literary world, which is somewhat surprising when one considers Gaskell was a friend of Charlotte Brontë’s. Oh, and this book was first serialized in Household Words, a weekly magazine edited by none other than Charles Dickens himself (obviously it had some major supporters from within the literary world, yet so few people nowadays seem to know of it).
To read more (including where I would sort some of the characters of they went to Hogwarts), please visit my blog.
I was introduced to this book through the BBC adaptation, which I watched with some friends. After finishing the miniseries, I almost immediately bought the book. It takes place in England following the industrial era and focuses on Margaret Hale, a young lady who moves with her parents from their quaint village in the south to an industrial town called Milton in the north. She meets both the workers and masters of factories and begins to learn about the complex relationships and struggles of the classes. This book is much more than a romance; it’s an examination of social class and prejudice, among other things. So many times while reading, I thought the perfect title for this book would be, in all honesty, “Pride and Prejudice.” The misunderstandings between the Hales and Milton natives—especially regarding the Thorntons—were amusing, unsettling, and thought-provoking (such as: how many times does one's unfamiliarity with local customs and traditions lead to tension between people?). The characters of North and South contain depth and embody growth as they learn to view the world in a less closed-off manner and recognize that the ideal is neither real nor attainable.
I highly recommend this book to those who love history, well-written literature, romance, economics, social relations, ethics, strong characters…This is a hidden gem in the literary world, which is somewhat surprising when one considers Gaskell was a friend of Charlotte Brontë’s. Oh, and this book was first serialized in Household Words, a weekly magazine edited by none other than Charles Dickens himself (obviously it had some major supporters from within the literary world, yet so few people nowadays seem to know of it).
To read more (including where I would sort some of the characters of they went to Hogwarts), please visit my blog.
balancedmultitudes's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
5.0
Great book that covers so many topics that are still relevant today.great character studies too. The one negative aspect is the anti-Irish sentiment throughout.
jennydemonic's review against another edition
5.0
I was lead to this book following the BBC adaptation, and much to my surprise, BBC took more liberties than I am used to with their modern day re-telling of this classic. As a general rule, the book is better than the television or movie adaptation, but BBC is usually the exception. I fell in love with John Thornton and Margaret Hale because of the adaptation, but I rediscovered them in Gaskell's novel. I found myself laughing aloud, particularly at the ending, and had a hard time putting this book down. In comparison to the BBC adaptation, I found Mr. and Mrs. Hale to be far more superficial in the book than they were in the series. They have a self-absorption I find shocking, particularly considering Mr. Hale's previous profession. Margaret is at times silly and at times an absolute heroine; I can only account for her impertinent moments as attributes of the selfishness of her parents.
Milton comes to life in the novel; the characters are unique in tone and text but are not overtly typecast. The comparison of provincial life to that of labor is cleverly underlined, as is the battle between masters and workers, both within the union and without. Gaskell takes care to illustrate the ineffectiveness of women to exert change on a public scene, but does not shy from their ability to change minds in private. "North & South" combines the uncertainty of life regardless of station with undaunting people who are unwilling to give up or give in. Laced throughout is a charm and wit that equals an easy read and memorable characters that are not defined by stereotype but by their honesty and courage.
Milton comes to life in the novel; the characters are unique in tone and text but are not overtly typecast. The comparison of provincial life to that of labor is cleverly underlined, as is the battle between masters and workers, both within the union and without. Gaskell takes care to illustrate the ineffectiveness of women to exert change on a public scene, but does not shy from their ability to change minds in private. "North & South" combines the uncertainty of life regardless of station with undaunting people who are unwilling to give up or give in. Laced throughout is a charm and wit that equals an easy read and memorable characters that are not defined by stereotype but by their honesty and courage.
aga89's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5